News Flash

Parks and Recreation

Posted on: September 4, 2019

Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update

In the spring of 2018, the City of Irving Parks and Recreation Department initiated an update to its Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. It was a significant undertaking: Irving has more than 80 parks, with 2,000 acres of land. The department also operates aquatic facilities, athletic fields, trails and recreation centers.

The city last adopted a master plan 20 years ago. In that time, park and recreation center strategies have changed, as have residents’ interests.

Halff Associates, an environmental engineering planning firm, was hired and together with city staff, began the process of reviewing and inventorying the plethora of park assets.

To receive resident input, the city held several public meetings and provided information on the city’s website asking for input through an online survey. The city also promoted the meetings and online survey on all communications channels, including “Irving City Spectrum,” ICTN, Facebook, Twitter and its digital newsletters.

“Not only does this plan look at addressing the needs of the existing population, but also projects needs as the population continues to grow,” Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer said. “We also want to replace aging centers with newer, more cost-efficient facilities.”

The plan addresses short- and long-term projects and can be found on the home page of the project’s website, LetsPlayIrving.com. Once the Irving City Council adopts the plan, and the funding is in place, the Parks and Recreation Department will begin implementing the plan’s one- to five-year priorities.